Igniter.



G. B. LAMBERT.

IGNITER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, 1912.

1 072,961., Patented Sept. 9, 1913. I I 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

, m u mum l4- ZQ L5 39 f f w 1 l6 1 NH 44 j %4mmmummuu m 43 '2 1 2| 1 1 l7 42 uuunu u SI 35 3o WIT/VESSES INVENTOR v a v Gerorrd B. Lumber-1 f {am V I BY ATTORNEYS entrain snares GERARD BARNES LAMBERT, 91: NEW YQEK, N. Y,

PATENT IGNXTER.

intense.

hpeeification of Letters Eatent.

Patented Sept. e, i are.

Application flied June 12, 1912. Serial No. 705L221.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it lmown that I, Gnnann Bnnnns LAM- nnn'r, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city. of New York, borough of Manhattan, in the county and State of New.York, have invented a new and Improved Igniter, of which the following is prises a valve for controlling the supply of fuel to the lamp, a fuel igniting device, and controlling means for the valve and the ignitin i means.

[in o hject of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient igniter for lighting. the

gas lamps of automobiles or the like, by

means of the electric ignition system of the 1 automobile or by means of any other ignition device available for the purpose, which can be operated by very simple manipulation,- wh-ich is compact in form, and which in no Way detracts from the appearance of the motor vehicleor other apparatus with 5 which it is employed.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ignitcr of the class described, by means of which the supply of fuel to the lamps can be exactly adjusted and con trolled, which can be set so that the flames of the lamps maybe of predetermined size or brilliancy, and which can be operated with certainty, without inspecting the flashes of the lamps, to determine the character thereof,

A still further, and important object of the invention is to provide an ign-iier which can be operated to light the lamps, and to control the flames thereof by means of the fuel control valve, which may thereby be opened to various, predetermined: degrees, so that the lamps may ill-mnii-ie with greater or less brilliancy, as may be desirable or necesearly.v

' he invention consists in the construction and. ctniibination of parts to be more fully described hereinafter and particularly set forth in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views, and in which Figure l is a diagrammatic plan view of a motor vehicle having an embodiment of my invention applied thereto and associated with the acetylene gas lamps of the ignition system of the engine of the vehicle; Fig. 2 is an enlarged horizontal section of an embodiment of my invention mounted upon the dashboard of a vehicle; Fig. 3 is a vertiverse section on the line 4-4l of Fig. 3-; Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing certain of the parts in different positions; Fig. 6 is a horizontal section of an acetylene gas burner having spark gap terminations associated therewith, so that the fuel at the burner can be ignited by means of my degvice'; and Fig. 7 is a trans-versesection on 5 the line 77 of Fig; 6

Before proceeding to a more detailed explanation of my invention it should be iclearly understood that While the igniter is designed particularly for use with motor gincs having electric ignition systems,- and provided with acetylene gas lamps, it can also be advantageously employed under Qother circumstances, and can be applied to different apparatus.

It is the presentpractice to supply gas jlam-ps of automobiles with fuel consisting of acetylene gas, from suitable tanks or from gas-producing devices eiiipleyi-ng cal cium carbid and water, for the production of gas. The ordinary way of lightin the gas lamps is toturn on the supply of fuel and to light the gas at the burners, by means of a match or in some other similar way. This of course necessitates the stopping of the vehicle,- and is a more or less troublesome operation. I am aware that; it has hitherto been" proposed to employ the electric ignition system of the automobile engine, to light the gas lamps, and that devices for that purpose have been constructed and utilized in practice. My invent-ion, however, embodies an improved igniter by means of which the supply of fuel to the lamps can be exactly controlled,- the size of the flame predetermined, and the lamps cal section of the device; Fig. 4 is a trans vehicles driven by internal combustion en lighted through the agency of theelectric ignition system of the engine,all by a simple manipulation.

An important consideration which I have had in mind in devising the practical embodiment of my invention is that it is frequently necessary to turn down the iames of the gas lamps, for example, when the automobile is being used in city trafiic. At other times, under normal conditions, the

flames must be so regulated that they will give the greatest possible light. My device includcsmeans whereby the flames can be automatically regulated and set, so that without inspection of the lamps themselves, the latter can be lighted and the flames turned to predetermined brilliancy. The instrument itself is capable of adjustment so that the flames can be not only regulated but allowance can also bemade for dilferences in pressure of the gas, the nature of the fuel supply, and: similar circumstances.

Certain of the details of construction shown for example herewith, form no part of the invention, and can be varied in accordanee with, individual preference and special conditions, without departing from the underlying spirit of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, I have shown for example, a motor vehicle-comprising the usual chassis A supporting the engine B. Associated with the engine is a dynamo C from which conductors 0 lead to the spark plugs B of three cylinders of the engine. The circuit is closed by suitably grounding the same upon the engine or engine frame. The vehicle has gas lamps D provided with burners D; supplied with acetylene gas fuel from a tank E, by means of pipes F, G and H, as will be described more particularly hereinafter.

The igniter is mounted upon any suitable support, such for example as the dashboard I of the vehicle. It is fashioned from suitable insulating material, such as hard rubber, and metal, such as brass. It comprises a tubular body mounted in a suitable opening I of the dashboard, and having at the inner side thereof a laterally extended part 11 of circular form and provided with an axially disposed, peripheral, internally threaded flange 12. The body 10 is tubular, and receives a correspondingly tubular, internally threaded extension 14 of a valve 15. The latter has a threaded outlet portion 16 which is screwed into the c1)rrespondingly formed end, of the pipe G. The valve also has a correspondingly threaded inlet portion 17 upon which screws the suitably formed end of the pipe F, so that communication is effected between the pipes l! and G, through the valve or union 15. The latter has there in between' the outlet l6 and the inlet 17, a reduced part constituting a seat 18 for a shoulder 27.

of the extension 14. The internally threaded part of the'igniter body isof enlar ed diameter. Beyond ita shoulder 27 is formed in the body. Bet-ween this shoulder and the end of the part 14 is a packing ring .28 of suitable material in order that a tight joint may be formed. It will be understood that the clamping nut can be inserted in position without removing the valve 15, as the slot permits the nut to be placedupon the extension let and then screwed into position Within the threaded end of the igniter body, against the flange26, forcing the same firmly against the packing ring 28 and the The igniter body is secured upon the dashboard by means of three bolts. 29 arranged in suitable openings 30 of the part 11, reg

istering with corresponding openings I of the dashboard. The bolts preferably are, provided with slotted heads 31 and have at the outwardly projecting threaded ends retaining nuts 32. Locking nuts 33 are also provided upon the bolts and serve to secure rings or washers 34 thereon, so that'the belts in effect constitute binding posts for the ends of conductors which will be described hereinafter. A collar 35 which, like the body of the igniter, isfashioned from insulating material such as hard rubber, is externally threaded and removably mounted within the correspondingly. threaded flange l2. outwardly extending flanges 36 and 37, and is provided with a series of radial perforalions 38. An annular manipulating member 3.), likewise fashioned from insulating material has the inner rim outwardly offset to form a shoulder. It is received Within the collar 35 and engages under the inwardly extended flange 37 thereof, so that it can be freely turned but cannot be Withdrawn. It

has a limited inward, axial mo'vement-and is provided with a head 41 preferably burred at the edge, so that it can be conveniently grasped and operated] The operating mom ber has furthermore, a substantially central boss 42 in which is formed a recess 43 of angular cross section-corresponding substantially to the-cross section of the head 22 of the valve stem and provided to receive the same so that tl'le'stem may be turned with It has at the outer edge, inwardly and menisci the operating nunnber. A helical spring 44.

is located in the recess and engages at the inner end thereof and at the extremity of the edge 22, tending to maintain the operating member in a normal position with the shoulder formed by the offset rim, engaging at the under side of the flange 39. A ring 45 likewise preferably fashioned from in sulating material, is positioned upon the collar 35, between the flange 36 and the flange 12. It has an opening in which, is

' screwed or otherwise suitably mounted a barrel 46 in which is movably positioned a keeper 47 consisting of a pin movable longitudinally ofthe barrel and provided at the outside thereof With a suitable manipulating head 18. The pin has within the barrel a rigid collar 49. A spring 50 mounted upon the pin, between the collar and the end of the barrel, tends normally to project the pin against the collar 35. The pin is adapted to enter anyone of the series of openings 38 of the collar] roject through the same, and engage a notch or recess 50.of the operating member. This notch or recess has one side only, beveled or inclined so that when the pin engages within the notch the operating men' ber can be turned in one direction only, and itsinovement in an opposite direction is prevented.

Bracketsbl having laterally disposed ears 52 are screwed or otherwise suitably mounted upon the part 11 of the. igniter body. One of the brackets is held in place by one of the bolts 29, the other bracket being secured in position by means of an auxiliary screw. The ear-s52 of the brackets have openings in which are movably received inwardly disposed trunnions 53 of an annular contact member or ring 54 held in a normal, angular position by means of a suitable spring 55. At opposite points the contact 54. has laterally extended lugs 56, which are offset with respect to the trunnions 58, so that any pressure against-"the lugs will tend to rock the contact on the trunnions and dis place it from its normal, angular position. The contact is so proportioned that it will fit within the rim of the operating member,

but the lugs extend radially to points such that they canbe engaged by the internal shoulder 57 formed by the offset rim 40 of the operating member. Consequently, an inward axial movement of the operating member will engage the lugs and displace the contact members. In its normal po Sltl0Il,'ll1( contact member engages the head of one ofthe bolts 29 and thus forms an electrical connection between that bolt and the bolt 20 which holdslhe onebracket 51 in place. I

A. conductor 0 from. the bolt 29.

normally engaged by the contact member, to the fourth cylinder of the engine. A conductor'C leads from the bolt holding the one bracket 51, to the dynamo C, and may in effect he the conductor which likewise joins the dynamo and the conductors G leading. to the first cylinders of the engine. A conductor C" joins the third bolt E29 and the burners D of the gas lamps, the burners also being connected by means of a conductor with the engine or engine frame, to ground the circuit.

The spark gaps of the burners may be produced by suitably disposed spark points or terminals of any construction adapted for the purpose. i prefer however to cor ploy at each burner a. pair of op pcsitely disposed insulated bars 58 havingregistering. rounded recesses or grooves 59 which adapt them to be mounted upon the tubular burners and to be clamped in position thereon by means of screws or bolts 60. These screws or bolts also constitute binding posts to permit the conductors to be attached to the burners. Instead of using wires for the spark terminals I prefer to employ flat strips 61 of suitable metal, received in transverse grooves or recesses of the plates, and laterally disposed "over and against an open end oi the burnenso that their extremities are-spaced apart a distance proper for the formation of a spark gap of the desired dimensions. As the strips are in contact with the bolts or screws 60, electrical contact is assured between the one strip and the conductors attached to the device by the corresponding bolt.

Under normal conditions, when the engine is running, the electric circuits fed by the dynamo C are closed and sparks jump across the gaps of the spark plugs, toignite the charges in the cylinder in the usual manner. It will be remembered that under these normal conditions the contact ring effects electrical communication between the bolt 29 forming a binding post for the conductor C and the bolt 29 which forms a binding post for the conductor C, so that the spark plug circuits are uninterrupted. When it is desired tic-ignite the acetylene lamps the operating member 3.) is turned to open the valve, which permits gas to flow through the union to the burners of the lamps, As soon as the valve has been opened the operating member is pressed inwardly toward the dash board and swings the contact, member to bring the same into engagement with the bolt constituting a binding post for the conductor C, so that a closed circuit is formed, including the dynamo, the conductor 0, the conductor C" and the spark gap terminals at the burner. v In consequence,- sparks are formed at these spark gaps and the gas escaping at the burners is ignited. As soon asthe operating member, the igniier is released the spring {let returns it to its normal position and the spark plug circuits of the engines are reestablished.

lOO

' adjustment of the igniter I provide upon the 'operatlng membcr an indicating pro ection notch 50.

It will be remembered that the notch 50 determines the open position of the valve.

and it is merely necessary to turn the operating member until the keeper 47 slips into the notch, to insure the opening of the valve to the proper degree. I prefer to provide an additional notch 63, which is fairly shallow and of V-form, so that when the keeper enters this notch it will at once be perceptible to the operator of the device, but not preventing the operating member from be ing turned in either direction. This notch determines an initial opening of the valve such that the flames of the lamps are low and the lamps are thus adapted for use in city traiiic or under similar conditions. In this way the operator can always determine, without actually inspecting the lamps, Whether the flames are properly adjusted and of the size or brilliancy desired. To adjust the ignitcr for different gas pressures or for different flames, the keeper can be lo- 'cated at any one of the series of openings 38 of the c oll ar by simply withdrawing the keeper and turning the ring until the desired point is-reached. To facilitate the 64, which corresponds in location to the iy means of this projection the position of the notch 50 can be exactly de' termined without di'lliculty.

Whilel have herein described the igniter as used in connection with lamps utilizing acetylene gas, it will-of course be understood that any other fuel can be ignited by means of the device, and the valve associated therewith for controlling the fuel supply may be of any type adapted for its particular purpose.

By utilizing a continuous contact member, such for example, as the annular element constituting the contact member in the present embodiment of the device, it is possible to operate the contact member regardless of the position into which the operating mem-.

- ber has been turned, but the latter is at all times operative with respect to the contact member.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent l. The combination with an electric igniting system, a lamp, and a gas supply-therefor, of a valve for said gas supply, an operating member mounted to turn and to movebodily and having an operative connection 9 with said valve, whereby when said member is turned it serves to open or close said valve, and whereby said member can move bodily without affecting said valve, a normally inoperative contact member'controlling said igniting system and adapted to be operated by .a bodily movement of saidoperating member, and adjustable means for limiting the turning of said operating member so that said valve can be opened to any desirable predetermined extent only.

2. The combination with an electric igniting system, a lamp, and a gas supply therefor, of a valve for said gas supply, an operating member mounted to turn and to move bodily, and a contact member controlling said igniting system and adapted to be operated by said operating member, one of said members being of annular form, and the second of said members having a part adapted at all times to engage said annular member.

The COH'lblIltlt-lOIl with an electric igniting system, a lamp, and a;gas supply there for, of a valve for said gas supply, an operatlng member mounted to turn and to move bodily, and a contact member controlling said igniting system and adapted to be operated by said operating member, said operating member having an annular surface, said contact member having a projection adapted to be engaged by said annular surface when gagemcnt with said contact member, and a spring holding said contact member in normal position. i

5. An igniter comprising a body, a valve adapted to control a fuel supply and having a rotatable valve stem projecting into said body, said stem having a head, an operating member mounted to turn, and axially with said stem, having a recess receiving said head, and having a' connection therewith such that said stem is constrained to turn with said member while said member is free to move axially without affecting said- Stem, and a normally inoperative contact member adapted to control an ignition system and to be operated by an axial move ment of said operative member. g

6. A n igniter comprising a body, a valve adapted to controi a fuel supply and having a rotatable valve stemprojecting into said body, said stem having a head, an operating member mountcd to turn, and axially with said stem having a recess receiving said head, and having a connection therewith such that said stem, is constrained to turn with said head, while said member is free to move axially without affecting said stem, a normally moperative contact member adapted to control an ignition system and to be operated by an axial movement of said operating member, and a spring holding said operating member normally from on gageuient with said contact member.

- 7. in igniter comprising: a body; a fuel supply valve axially attached to said body;

a stem for controlling said valve, projecting on said body; means on said member whereby the movement of said stem is regulated with respect to said valve; and fuel igniting means associated with said body and controlled by said rotatable member.

An igniter comprising; a body; a fuel. supply valve axially attached to said body; a stem for controlling said valve, projecting into said body; arotatable member in said body engaging said stem and thereby serving to operate the valve; a rotatable ring on said body; means on said ring and said body whereby said ring is locked on same; means on said rotatable member co-acting with said means on said ring whereby the rota tion of said member islimited; and fuel igniting means associated with said body and controlled by said rotatable member.

10. An igniter comprising: a body having a plurality of openings on its lateral surface; a'rotatable ring on said body over said openings; a rotatable member in said body under said openings; a fuel supply'valve aX1 ally attached to said body; a stem for operating said valve, projecting into saidibody and in engagemcnt'with said rotatable memher: a plunger on said rotatable ringnormally engaging an opening in said body, thereby locking said ring on said body;'.a spring associated with said plunger to nor in ally forcesame toward the center, whereby said plungerconstantly bears against the lateral surface of saidrotatablemember; means on the lateral surface of said member adapt-.

ed to engage said plunger, whereby the rotation fsa1ne is limited in said body, and fuel igniting means associated with said body and controlled by said rotatable member. I

'11. An igniter comprising: a cylindrical body having an enlarged portion. said body having a central bore, ands-aid enlarged portion a central recess; a collar threaded into said recess and projecting out of same, having a central bore and outwardly and inwardly projecting flanges at its projectio cnd; a ring; on said collar intermediate said outward flange on said collar and the en la-rged portion of the body; a fuel supply valve in said central portion of said body; a stem for controllingsaid valve projecting into said recess of said collar; a rotatable member in the recess of said collar, having a contracted portion projecting out of same and normally bearing against said inner flange of said collar, said rotatable member having a central recess normally engaging said stem and thereby serving to operate the valve; a radiating projection on the lateral surface of said ring; a spring in said projcction and a plunger projecting out of said projection on said ring and co-acting with said spring; means above said projection on said ring attached to said plunger whereby same may be manually operated, said collar having a series of radiating openings under said collar registering with the inwardly projecting end of said plunger, and normally one of said openings being engaged bytne said end of said plunger, whereby said ring is locked on said bodyand said. plunger is normally forced toward the center by said spring in said projection on said ring, the inwardly projecting end of said plunger normally bearing against the lateral surface of the. rotatable member in said collar, due to the pressure of the resilient member; means on the lateral surface of said rotatable'member adapted to receive the in- 1 of said rotatable member co-actingwith said inwardly projecting end of saidfplunger when rotating said member whereby the rotation ofsame is hunted; andfuel igniting.

.me'ans associated with said body and controlled by said rotatable member.

12. An ignitercomprising a'body: a pi voted annularcontactmember adapted to control an electric ignition system in said body; a bodily movable memberin said body adjacent to said annular contact mmber and in engagement with same; a resilient-'memher associatedwith said bodlly moving member and normally maintaining-same in a predetermined position; and a fuel supply means associated with said body and con trolled by'said movable'member.

13. in igniter comprising: a body; a pivoted annular contact-member; lugs centrally off set projecting laterallvof saidannular .contact member; an axially bodily movable member contacting with said lugs of said annular contacting member, a resilient member associated with said contacting member keeping same Fiormdlly in a predetermined position; and said lugs of said annul'armem- In witness whereof I have signed my bond ber contacting with said bodily moving memto this specification in the presence of two her, said bodily moving member when forced subscribing witnesses.

' inwardly into said body operating said con- GERARD BARNES LAMBERT. a tacting member; a fuel supply means asso- Witnesses: 1.

ciated with said body and controlled by said JOSEPH F. DEINEF,

movable member. H. BOWEN. 

